Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

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The event brings together state agencies, municipal leaders, and research partners to discuss workforce development, green job creation, and policy tools to support local implementation.

Register to join via Zoom

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In a dominant culture increasingly defined by dynamics of ideological polarization, emotionally-armored conflict, inter- and intra-community call-outs and cancellation campaigns, Restorative and Transformative Justice can offer alternate paths toward principled struggle, intentional repair, collective healing, and coalition building.

In this interactive workshop, participants will be invited to root into their own unique core values while learning about the historical origins of restorative practices, as well as some key vocabulary, core concepts, and essential inquiries that inform and support such practices. In addition to articulating our vision(s) for a restorative future, we will also consider the ways in which punitive/carceral mindset currently functions within ourselves and our communities, identifying action items to invite greater alignment with our hopes and goals for growth and evolution.

While this session is intended to be accessible to those who are brand new to RJ/TJ, seasoned practitioners and those with existing deep knowledge are welcome and invited to add their energy and voices to this whole-community conversation!

Presenters:

Rita Curley (she/her), Investigator in the Equal Opportunity & Access Office

Penn Pritchard (they/them), Senior Director for Education & Development in the Office of Equity & Inclusion

Jules Purnell (they/them), Doctoral Student in Social Justice Education

Sponsored by UMass Amherst Office of Equity and Inclusion.

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View on site | Email this event

What to bring: Wear comfortable clothes, long pants, and closed toed shoes with a good tread that you don't mind getting dirty pulling invasive plants. Bring work/gardening gloves if you have them, sun protection (e.g. hats, sunscreen) and lots of water!

Accessibility: This will be an outdoor event on a grassy hillside, with nearby benches and without immediate access to restrooms. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to accommodate you at this event by reaching out to abolesfassle@umass.edu.

In the event of extreme weather this, event will be held at the same time on Sunday 6/14.

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The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

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Much of our work as librarians, as library staff, as archivists, and as educators, is to work to hold and store memory. We work to facilitate a remembering, whether our own or that of another place or time. Our work as people extends beyond that too; we are storytellers. Some of us carry these stories in our minds, some in our art - poetry, fiction, photographs, oral history, or on our bodies. On 16 June 1976, 50 years ago, and in the days immediately after, between 600 and 1000 people were killed by the South African apartheid state. On 16 June 2026, we come together to remember the young people whose lives were taken in order to entirely suppress and undermine the education of black and brown people of South Africa. We work to remember and to commemorate our people, to carry and tell their stories.

Speaker Bio

Wilton Schereka is a scholar, archivist, activist, and writer from Cape Town, South Africa. He has two MA degrees- one from the University of the Western Cape in History on questions of blackness, Afrofuturism, and black electronic music. The second is from Brown University in Africana studies. He is in the final stages of his PhD at the University of the Western Cape on the work of struggle song and sound in the history of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. As archivist, Wilton has worked in the archives of the District Six Museum in Cape Town. In 2025 he was awarded a Graduate Fellowship at the W. E. B. Du Bois Center at UMass Amherst.

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Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Place: The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for wet footing and mosquitoes. The events will be canceled in the event of heavy rain. For more info, please visit the Sunwheel website.

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Place: The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for wet footing and mosquitoes. The events will be canceled in the event of heavy rain. For more info, please visit the Sunwheel website.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Imaginary Friends is a multi-day gallery installation with accompanying programming for all ages that fosters rigorous experimental arts collaboration between parents and their children. The represented projects, which span media, have been co-created by local artist-parents—and one grandparent—and their children (ages 1-12), led by child collaborators’ imagination and play.

The project seeks to challenge the binary between “kids” and “adult” art, and explore new modes of intergenerational artistic collaboration. Taking seriously the creative potential of children’s play, the artists use their children’s imagination and play as the prime source for collaborative experimental art practice. The children involved range in age from 1 to 12 years. Media represented include textile, sculpture, film, participatory art, and installation.

The inaugural cohort of artists features Hallie Bahn (UMass Art), Christina Balch & Nora De La Cour, Abigail Chabitnoy (UMass English), Lisa Iglesias & Bodhild Iglesias, Sarah Marcus, Lucia Monge, Katie Richardson, Daniel Sack (UMass English), Dante Sepúlveda & Aleksandra Ponomareva, Jules Skloot, and Marianna Dixon Williams & Amy Nicole Buckley.

SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 23, 4-6pm • Opening reception

GALLERY OPEN HOURS
WED June 24 10am-4pm
THU - FRI June 25+26, 12-6pm
SAT June 27, 10am-4pm

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

Imaginary Friends is a multi-day gallery installation with accompanying programming for all ages that fosters rigorous experimental arts collaboration between parents and their children. The represented projects, which span media, have been co-created by local artist-parents—and one grandparent—and their children (ages 1-12), led by child collaborators’ imagination and play.

The project seeks to challenge the binary between “kids” and “adult” art, and explore new modes of intergenerational artistic collaboration. Taking seriously the creative potential of children’s play, the artists use their children’s imagination and play as the prime source for collaborative experimental art practice. The children involved range in age from 1 to 12 years. Media represented include textile, sculpture, film, participatory art, and installation.

The inaugural cohort of artists features Hallie Bahn (UMass Art), Christina Balch & Nora De La Cour, Abigail Chabitnoy (UMass English), Lisa Iglesias & Bodhild Iglesias, Sarah Marcus, Lucia Monge, Katie Richardson, Daniel Sack (UMass English), Dante Sepúlveda & Aleksandra Ponomareva, Jules Skloot, and Marianna Dixon Williams & Amy Nicole Buckley.

SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 23, 4-6pm • Opening reception

GALLERY OPEN HOURS
WED June 24 10am-4pm
THU - FRI June 25+26, 12-6pm
SAT June 27, 10am-4pm

View on site | Email this event

This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Imaginary Friends is a multi-day gallery installation with accompanying programming for all ages that fosters rigorous experimental arts collaboration between parents and their children. The represented projects, which span media, have been co-created by local artist-parents—and one grandparent—and their children (ages 1-12), led by child collaborators’ imagination and play.

The project seeks to challenge the binary between “kids” and “adult” art, and explore new modes of intergenerational artistic collaboration. Taking seriously the creative potential of children’s play, the artists use their children’s imagination and play as the prime source for collaborative experimental art practice. The children involved range in age from 1 to 12 years. Media represented include textile, sculpture, film, participatory art, and installation.

The inaugural cohort of artists features Hallie Bahn (UMass Art), Christina Balch & Nora De La Cour, Abigail Chabitnoy (UMass English), Lisa Iglesias & Bodhild Iglesias, Sarah Marcus, Lucia Monge, Katie Richardson, Daniel Sack (UMass English), Dante Sepúlveda & Aleksandra Ponomareva, Jules Skloot, and Marianna Dixon Williams & Amy Nicole Buckley.

SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 23, 4-6pm • Opening reception

GALLERY OPEN HOURS
WED June 24 10am-4pm
THU - FRI June 25+26, 12-6pm
SAT June 27, 10am-4pm

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Imaginary Friends is a multi-day gallery installation with accompanying programming for all ages that fosters rigorous experimental arts collaboration between parents and their children. The represented projects, which span media, have been co-created by local artist-parents—and one grandparent—and their children (ages 1-12), led by child collaborators’ imagination and play.

The project seeks to challenge the binary between “kids” and “adult” art, and explore new modes of intergenerational artistic collaboration. Taking seriously the creative potential of children’s play, the artists use their children’s imagination and play as the prime source for collaborative experimental art practice. The children involved range in age from 1 to 12 years. Media represented include textile, sculpture, film, participatory art, and installation.

The inaugural cohort of artists features Hallie Bahn (UMass Art), Christina Balch & Nora De La Cour, Abigail Chabitnoy (UMass English), Lisa Iglesias & Bodhild Iglesias, Sarah Marcus, Lucia Monge, Katie Richardson, Daniel Sack (UMass English), Dante Sepúlveda & Aleksandra Ponomareva, Jules Skloot, and Marianna Dixon Williams & Amy Nicole Buckley.

SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 23, 4-6pm • Opening reception

GALLERY OPEN HOURS
WED June 24 10am-4pm
THU - FRI June 25+26, 12-6pm
SAT June 27, 10am-4pm

View on site | Email this event

Imaginary Friends is a multi-day gallery installation with accompanying programming for all ages that fosters rigorous experimental arts collaboration between parents and their children. The represented projects, which span media, have been co-created by local artist-parents—and one grandparent—and their children (ages 1-12), led by child collaborators’ imagination and play.

The project seeks to challenge the binary between “kids” and “adult” art, and explore new modes of intergenerational artistic collaboration. Taking seriously the creative potential of children’s play, the artists use their children’s imagination and play as the prime source for collaborative experimental art practice. The children involved range in age from 1 to 12 years. Media represented include textile, sculpture, film, participatory art, and installation.

The inaugural cohort of artists features Hallie Bahn (UMass Art), Christina Balch & Nora De La Cour, Abigail Chabitnoy (UMass English), Lisa Iglesias & Bodhild Iglesias, Sarah Marcus, Lucia Monge, Katie Richardson, Daniel Sack (UMass English), Dante Sepúlveda & Aleksandra Ponomareva, Jules Skloot, and Marianna Dixon Williams & Amy Nicole Buckley.

SPECIAL EVENTS
TUE June 23, 4-6pm • Opening reception

GALLERY OPEN HOURS
WED June 24 10am-4pm
THU - FRI June 25+26, 12-6pm
SAT June 27, 10am-4pm

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

Event begins at 5:30 PM
Fireworks at dark

Rain Date: Sunday, July 5 at the same time and location.

Restroom facilities will be available on site.

View on site | Email this event

The UMass HR team offers monthly community office hours at UMass Downtown to provide application assistance and interview guidance for prospective employees and CORI verifications and onboarding support for new hires.

No appointment necessary. Just stop by during UMass HR's community office hours!

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

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Bonus: One lucky registrant will receive an application fee waiver!

Register today and take the next step toward your MBA.

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View on site | Email this event

July 11: Build Your Own Mini Aquariums

Build your own underwater scene inside a plastic mason jar! Layer colorful gravel, add plants, divers, and fishy friends to create a magical ocean world to take home and treasure.

July 18: Make Your Own Shoebox Foosball Game

Kids build their own mini soccer stadium out of a shoebox! Flick, score, and bring home a game you can play all summer and celebrate the world cup finals!

July 25: Paint & Plant

In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

August 1: Summer Send-Off Carnival

The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

July 11: Build Your Own Mini Aquariums

Build your own underwater scene inside a plastic mason jar! Layer colorful gravel, add plants, divers, and fishy friends to create a magical ocean world to take home and treasure.

July 18: Make Your Own Shoebox Foosball Game

Kids build their own mini soccer stadium out of a shoebox! Flick, score, and bring home a game you can play all summer and celebrate the world cup finals!

July 25: Paint & Plant

In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

August 1: Summer Send-Off Carnival

The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

View on site | Email this event

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

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We’ll walk you through the application process—from requirements to key materials like your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation—so you know exactly what to expect.

Leave with a clear understanding of how to apply and what you need to do next. Register now to save your spot.

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

The Lost Cause myth emerged in the South following the Civil War as a romanticized framework for processing and memorializing the catastrophic defeat of the Confederacy. By the early twentieth century it had become a well-established, powerful ideology that was national, even international in scope. Through public monuments, gaudy rituals, popular novels and film, and even academic publications, the Lost Cause was able to exert a disproportionate influence on how white Americans remembered the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction and, crucially, how they thought about race in their own time.

W. E. B. Du Bois watched this myth take hold of the American imagination through his youth and in his early years as a scholar. Some of his earliest student writings, not least his doctoral thesis, presented a challenge to the myth as it was emerging. By the time the Lost Cause had achieved national prominence, so had Du Bois as editor of The Crisis, and he thundered against it in editorials and articles for a quarter of a century. His efforts to resist this white supremacist framing of American History reached a pinnacle of sorts with his magnum opus, Black Reconstruction in America, published in 1935, but he would continue his efforts to challenge and discredit the Lost Cause until his death in 1963.

This lecture will describe how the myth of the Lost Cause became such a powerful force in the American socio-cultural landscape before detailing some of the many ways Du Bois challenged it in word and deed. It will argue that this clash of ideas gives us much to think about in the present and that Du Bois’s quest for truth and historical justice is as relevant in 2026 as it was at any point during his long life.

Speaker Bio

Adam Holmes is the Assistant Director of the W. E. B. Du Bois Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is responsible for the Center’s events and outreach as well as its fellowship program which supports new research into the life and work of Du Bois.

Adam holds degrees in History and American Studies from Manchester University and Kings College London respectively. Prior to joining the Du Bois Center in 2018, Adam worked for three years for the National Literacy Trust, a UK-based charity aiming to improve the education and lives of children and adults in some of the country’s most underserved communities.

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Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

July 11: Build Your Own Mini Aquariums

Build your own underwater scene inside a plastic mason jar! Layer colorful gravel, add plants, divers, and fishy friends to create a magical ocean world to take home and treasure.

July 18: Make Your Own Shoebox Foosball Game

Kids build their own mini soccer stadium out of a shoebox! Flick, score, and bring home a game you can play all summer and celebrate the world cup finals!

July 25: Paint & Plant

In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

August 1: Summer Send-Off Carnival

The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

View on site | Email this event

July 11: Build Your Own Mini Aquariums

Build your own underwater scene inside a plastic mason jar! Layer colorful gravel, add plants, divers, and fishy friends to create a magical ocean world to take home and treasure.

July 18: Make Your Own Shoebox Foosball Game

Kids build their own mini soccer stadium out of a shoebox! Flick, score, and bring home a game you can play all summer and celebrate the world cup finals!

July 25: Paint & Plant

In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

August 1: Summer Send-Off Carnival

The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

View on site | Email this event

The UMass HR team offers monthly community office hours at UMass Downtown to provide application assistance and interview guidance for prospective employees and CORI verifications and onboarding support for new hires.

No appointment necessary. Just stop by during UMass HR's community office hours!

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
View Map | Get Directions

Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Each Wednesday evening, UMass graduate student presenters will share their research, ideas, and work in an engaging and approachable format designed to spark conversation, curiosity, and connection. Each session offers a chance to hear directly from emerging scholars doing meaningful work across disciplines, with opportunities for discussion and community engagement.

Wednesdays | June 17–August 5

6:00–7:30 PM
Free and open to the public
Register to reserve your spot here.

Summer 2026 Lineup

June 17 | Genny Dorgan

A Female Voice in Medieval Academia: Mechthild of Magdeburg and Her Editors

Even though the medieval period is popularly known as the “Dark Ages,” academia as we know it was instituted during that time. Medieval academics were avid researchers of some of the most pressing questions of the day, such as: When would the end times begin, and what would they be like?

In this talk, PhD candidate in Comparative Literature Genny Dorgan will explain how medieval universities produced knowledge and discuss the rare case of a female writer, the thirteenth-century German mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who became an accepted source of authority on matters of theology.

June 24 | Marcus Smith

Who Keeps History Alive? Black Grassroots Museums and the Fight to Preserve Memory

Have you ever wondered what happens to history when communities are left to preserve it on their own? Who bears the responsibility of preserving memory and history when those histories are absent from, or excluded by, formal archives and institutions?

Join us in exploring This Proud Home, a dissertation that traces how Black grassroots museums—often built in living rooms, historical structures, and contested landscapes—sustain and contribute to the long struggle for Black freedom.

July 1 | Rozy Bathrick & Sebastian Moreno

From Flyway to Feeder: The Science Behind Bird Migration, Habitat Stewardship, and Public Engagement

Have you ever wondered where your birds go when they leave your backyard?

Billions of birds migrate every spring and fall, flying thousands of miles through human-altered landscapes to chase resources and raise young.

Join Rozy and Sebastian, two UMass ornithologists, as they discuss scalable conservation from your backyard to the remote reaches of migration corridors.

July 8 | Adam Eichen (Political Science)

Public Opinion on America's 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump's second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections?

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university's nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more.

July 15 | Ruth Appiah Kubi

Co-Creating Systems of Care That Support Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals

What if every woman moved through pregnancy and birth feeling supported, safe, and cared for? What if positive experiences were the norm rather than the exception?

Many women do—but not all.

A missed visit, feeling lost while trying to find support, or feeling unheard during the perinatal period can snowball into serious complications and, in the worst cases, contribute to preventable maternal deaths. These stories, both uplifting and painful, are happening in our own communities, and they deserve to be heard.

We invite you to join us in holding space for this range of experiences and imagining the care, support, community-rooted change, policy, and advocacy efforts needed to help every mother feel seen, safe, and cared for.

July 15 | Jeng-Yu Chou

From Detection to Policy: AI and Human Systems for Safer Digital Spaces

Is it possible to automate safety in a digital world where context is everything? What happens when technology evolves faster than our laws can keep up?

This talk highlights two facets of digital safety, including how machine learning is being used to efficiently identify harmful content at scale, as well as findings from characterizing real-world activity and user-generated content on social media platforms.

Come discuss the intersection of technical innovation and real-world policy, and how evidence from research moves from the lab into decisions that shape safer online communities.

July 22 | Alex Wilk

Tackling Climate Change in the East African Tropics: Using Ancient Mud to Predict the Future

Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable?

Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond.

July 29 | Kathleen Mahoney

Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education

This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development.

August 5 | Miranda Lutyens

Private Freewriting In and Beyond the Classroom: What Unedited, Unsurveilled Writing Does for College Students and Their Wellbeing

When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting.

Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves.

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Bonus: One lucky registrant will receive an application fee waiver!

Register today and take the next step toward your MBA.

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Bring a mat, towel, water bottle, and any props you need. Come as you are and enjoy the grounding power of movement and stillness in nature.

Location: Pavilion
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Please feel free to park in the solar-covered parking lot.

Free and open to UMass Faculty, Staff, and Students

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The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

Bonus: One lucky registrant will receive an application fee waiver!

Register today and take the next step toward your MBA.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

We’ll walk you through the application process—from requirements to key materials like your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation—so you know exactly what to expect.

Leave with a clear understanding of how to apply and what you need to do next. Register now to save your spot.

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This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

View on site | Email this event

This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

This 30-credit program delivers the same academic rigor and quality as our on-campus offerings, with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Build in-demand expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity while strengthening your skills in software design, testing, and computational problem-solving.

Complete your degree in as few as two years or at a pace that fits your schedule. Requirements include 30 credits, four core courses, and 12 credits of advanced (600-level) coursework.

Visit here for more information and to register.

View on site | Email this event

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

View on site | Email this event

View on site | Email this event

We’ll walk you through the application process—from requirements to key materials like your statement of purpose and letters of recommendation—so you know exactly what to expect.

Leave with a clear understanding of how to apply and what you need to do next. Register now to save your spot.

View on site | Email this event

Sunrise gathering 7:00 a.m.Sunset gathering 3:30 p.m.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for freezing temperatures and wet footing. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events. Donations are welcome to help with the cost of additional site work and future events.

View on site | Email this event

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free advising for Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce members at UMass Downtown on the third Monday of each month. Meet with Rob DelMastro, Regional Director of the MA SBDC, and receive confidential one-on-one support tailored to your business.

Hosted in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Registration is required. Learn more and register for a slot at amherstarea.com/advising/

View on site | Email this event

Sunrise gathering 7:00 a.m.Sunset gathering 3:30 p.m.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road (Amity Street) about one-quarter mile south of University Drive. Visitors to the Sunwheel should be prepared for freezing temperatures and wet footing. Rain or blizzard conditions cancel the events. Donations are welcome to help with the cost of additional site work and future events.

View on site | Email this event